Marilynn J Meisinger

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Marilynn Joanne Meisinger, age 88, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, February 25, 2024 at the Masonic Home in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. She was born in Omaha on August 19, 1935 to Leonard and Ellen Nora (Meisinger) Stoehr.

Marilynn grew up on a farm west of Plattsmouth in Cullom, Nebraska.  She went to Cullom School, District 30. It was two and a half miles from her home. After Cullom School, she attended Plattsmouth High School and graduated with the Class of 1952. A few times while she was a Senior in High School, she was sent by the Superintendent, Mr. Friest, to substitute in one of the ward grade schools. Thus started her preparation to be a teacher.

Marilynn received a full tuition scholarship worth $75 a semester and continued her education at Nebraska State Teachers College at Peru for two years. She received a Teaching Diploma in 1954 which allowed her get an initial Junior Elementary School Certificate. Since she attended college for 2 years she was able to teach in town.

During her time at Peru, Marilynn started dating her future husband, Dean E. Meisinger. They were married on May 26, 1956, at the First Presbyterian Church in Plattsmouth. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage at the time of his death in 2022.

Marilynn taught in the Plattsmouth Public Schools for 2 years at Columbian School with a starting salary of $2600, and then she resigned to follow her husband who had been drafted in the Army. Because of his assignment, she wasn’t able to go along, so she found a last minute teaching job in 4th grade in Ralston. After that one year, she returned to teaching in Plattsmouth for two more years. She substitute taught all years but one after their daughter Jodean (Jody) and son Kurt were born and continued substitute teaching into her later years. Marilynn also continued her own education and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Peru State College in 1986. But her most important job was being a mom. She relished being home when her children walked home for lunch, being a room mom, teaching Sunday School, leading the Campfire Girls and being active in the Band Parent’s organization.  Marilynn adored her grandchildren, with she and Dean making many a trip to see their grandchildren’s activities.

Marilynn, was well known for her Caramel Pecan Rolls, eagerly awaited by friends and family every Christmas, as well as her lemon meringue pies crafted from home-grown lemons.  Each year she and Dean had a large garden, Marilynn enjoyed harvesting and canning the various fruits and vegetables.  Marilynn’s commitment to her community is reflected in her active involvement in various organizations and causes. Her dedication to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, now St. Paul’s Community Church, was profound, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and contributing her leadership to the Women’s Guild and church initiatives. Her engagement extended beyond the church walls, encompassing her roles in the P.E.O. Chapter F, the Cass County Historical Society, Home Chapter #189 OES and the Plattsmouth Alumni Association. Marilynn’s civic duties were equally significant, evidenced by her role as an Election Poll Worker and her dedicated tenure as the pronouncer at the Cass County Spelling Bee.  Notably, Marilynn’s reign as Queen of the 1954 Kass Kounty King Korn Karnival, now known as the Plattsmouth Harvest Festival, remains a cherished memory.

Survived by children, Jodean "Jody" (Greg) Gesell of Fremont, Nebraska, Kurt (Angela) Meisinger of Plattsmouth; grandchildren, Stephanie (Hugh) Johnson, Megan Meisinger, Arianne (Jeremy) Hollman, Ian (Fiance Paige Kiechlin) Gesell, Abigail Meisinger; great-grandchildren, Alayna Johnson, Xavier Johnson, Beckett Meisinger; brother Charles (Beverly) Stoehr of Plattsmouth, brother-in-law, William "Bill" White of Grand Island, Nebraska. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Ellen Nora Stoehr and husband, Dean Meisinger.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul’s Community Church, Plattsmouth, NE with Pastor Harald Rappold officiating.

Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2024 from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM with family greeting friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

Marilynn has requested memorials in lieu of flowers and such can be made to the Plattsmouth Education Foundation or to St. Paul’s Community Church.

Arrangements by Brian P. Harvey Funeral Home, Plattsmouth, NE 402-296-4445 .